Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Scotland Under-16 captain Dara Jikiemi from Celtic, with the transfer completed on Sunday, according to Fabrizio Romano. The versatile defender has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club.
The move was first reported by TEAMtalk in March, with their sources indicating Liverpool had been tracking the 16-year-old since the turn of the year. Sporting director Richard Hughes brokered the deal, convincing Jikiemi to reject a three-year contract offer from Celtic in favour of a move to Anfield.
Jikiemi is comfortable playing at centre-back but can also feature in midfield, offering Liverpool manager Arne Slot tactical flexibility. The teenager will initially join the Liverpool academy on a scholarship, with a professional contract set to be offered when he turns 17 in January. Several other English clubs were reportedly interested in Jikiemi, but Liverpool’s vision for youth development ultimately proved decisive.
This signing continues a recent trend of Liverpool recruiting young talent from Scotland, following the arrivals of Calvin Ramsay and Ben Doak in recent seasons. The club clearly sees potential in developing players from the Scottish Premiership. Jikiemi’s arrival adds further depth to Liverpool’s youth ranks and provides competition for places as he progresses through the academy system. This move demonstrates Liverpool's commitment to building for the future, even amidst ongoing speculation surrounding potential departures and additions to the first team.
